Folding device for umbrella-sticks.



H. GAUTSCHY.

FOLDING DEVICE FOR UMBRELLA STICKS. APPucmou 'msn JUNE 22, 1914.

1,226,877, Patented May 22, 1917.

HEINRICH GAUTSCI-IY, OF BASEL, SWITZERLAND.

FOLDING DEVICE FOR UMBRELLA-STICKS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 22, 1917.

Application filed June 22, 1914. Serial No. 846,561.

I rod, and are connected rotatably at their ends with the wall of the tube by means of sliding pieces fitting into the tube and which can be slid into the tubular parts of the stick when it is stretched, so that the stick will have the normal length of an ordinary stick, whether it be in the folded position or in the stretched position, are known. However, the known devices present several drawbacks, one of which must be especially pointed out, namely that they are not sufliciently resistant, which is the case when the stick is provided with rather long guiding slits in the tubular parts or, if such is not the case, that they are rather difficult to handle. Owing to their lack of resistance umbrella sticks provided with such devices are unable to resist winds, even of moderate velocity, and soon become useless. The object of the present invention is to do away with these drawbacks.

The preferred form of the device according to the present invention is represented, by way of example, in the annexed drawing:

Figure l is a front view of the doubly folded part of the stick, the upper half being represented in section and the lower half being shown only with the sectioned steel tube.

Fig. 2 shows a side-view of the same part, the steel tube of the upper part only being sectioned.

Fig. 3 shows the folding device slid into the tubular parts,'which are telescoped into each other, the left half being represented in section and the right one only with the sectioned tube.

Fig. 4 shows the whole umbrella device in the open position.

Fig. 5 shows the same in the closed position.

The umbrella stick is made of thin steel tubing and is divided into two parts, the lower one Z) with the handle a rigidly fixed thereto and the upper part 0 bearing the umbrella shed (Z. The two tubular parts 6 and 0 are connected with each other by means of the central part c of rectangular section and of the sliding piece f, which is hinged to the central part in the slots 9 by means of the screws h. The sliding pieces 7 are smoothly fitting into the hollow spaces of the tubes and can be easily slid up and down in these tubes. Each of these sliding pieces possesses, as a prolongation of the w having two unequal arms, the bent end of which rests against the adjusting tongue n. The spiral spring 4) acts on the wall of the notch m which is the nearest to the short arm of the pin, while it rests on the opposite wall. The central part c is provided, at its ends, with noses 25 having notches 8. When the umbrella is shut and the stick is folded a pawl m and the tongue at engage the customary slitted sleeve y of the umbrella. In order not to interfere with the movements of the stick, the lower part of the sleeve y is provided with a suitable notch. The movements of the sleeve 1 while opening the umbrella are limited by the ring 2 fixed to the stick 0. In the parts Z) and c are provided notches M which enable the adjusting tongues n and the noses t to protrude; opposite these notches u the parts 6 and'c are slit. The connecting pieces Q are turned with their longitudinal grooves 71 in front of the slits and are rigidly fixed to the parts I) and c, and they project into the slits, serving as guides for the central part c and as supports when the stick is folded.

The flat spring 7* is fixed to the bottom of the groove 2'. When the umbrella is shut, the two tubular parts I) and 0 stand on each other and the umbrella is straight. The sliding pieces 7 and the central part c are entirelyv slid into the tubular parts I) and c, the beveled front ends of the adjusting tongues 72. resting against the longitudinal sides of the central part 6.

By pressing on the pawl' 00, the sleeve :1 of the umbrella is released and, by moving it, the umbrella is opened, the sleeve y hits against the ring 2 and by continuing to push, the parts I) and 00f the stick are moved away from each other until the sliding pieces f meet the parts 51, thus getting the central part 6 ready for folding. By slightly folding the upper part 0 toward the lower part b, the central part a rotates on the screws h in the sliding pieces f, the adjusting tongues n follow their guiding slits j and Z under the action of the springs '0 and of the pins w and engage the notches s with their front ends; the pins to follow the action of the springs v until these hit against the walls of the notches m and thus cease to act and the flat springs 7 act in such a way on the adjusting tongues n that their projections p rest against the walls of the parts 6 and c and rest, at the same time,

against the walls is of their guiding slits and thus block the whole folding device. It is to be noticed that the springs o assist in the folding and that no other manipulation is necessary besides the said folding. The sleeve g of the umbrella will fall back on the central part 6 under the action of the resilient umbrella shed and rest on it.

v If it is desired to shut the umbrella, the parts I) and c of the stick are gripped by the hands which press at p on the adjusting tongues n thus pushing them back into the longitudinal grooves z' with their rear parts; at the same time, the two parts of the stick are pulled away from each other so that the central part 6 rotates on the hinge screws 72, and pushes the adjusting tongues n by means of its noses 6, back into the longitudinal grooves i. As soon as the central part 0 has been brought back into the straight position of the stick, the adjusting tongues n are entirely slid into the longitudinal grooves z, the parts 6 and 0 of the stick may be brought in alinement with each other and the umbrella can be shut like any ordinary umbrella.

I claim:

In a device of the character described the combination of a stick consisting of two hollow connected sections, a connection for both sections, sliding pieces in the adjacent ends of the sections, an adjusting tongue in each sliding piece, grooves in said pieces and pins on said tongues sliding in said grooves, longitudinally and transversely acting springs for controlling said tongues, a slit in each section of said stick and a notch in the connection of both sections adapted to receive said tongues under the action of said longitudinally acting springs when the umbrella is opened, projecting portions on said tongues whereby the tongues may be pushed inwardly against said transversely acting springs for allowing the other end to be swung out of the notch of the connecting part for allowing the closure of the umbrella, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two witnesses.

HEINRICH GAUTSCHY. WVitnesses ARNOLD ZUBER, EMIL ScUN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. O. 

